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OF THE 

EDWIN FORREST EDITION 

OF 

mm anir otljtr ^la^s, 



COEEECTLT MARKED, WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF 

THE EMINENT TRAQEDIAN, 

FROM HIS OWN PROMPT BOOK, 
AND AS ACTED BY HIM IN THE 

PRINCIPAL CITIES OP THE UNITED STATES, 

linger the iHaimQement of 

JAMES M. NIXON5 ESQ. 



The Publishers in presenting this New Edition to the public and 
profession, deem it a duty to state that they are indebted to Edwin 
Forrest, Esq., for not only his kindness in the use of his books, 
but also that each receives his personal revision in proof, before 
going to press, consequently they are verbatim as presented. 



PORTRAIT AND 

Title Page entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by W. A. Moorh 

and C. S. Berxj^rd, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States 

for the Southern District of New York. 



PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHEKS, 

BY TOPvREY BROTHERS, 13 SPRUCE ST., N. Y. 

AND FOR SALE BY 

r '^. Bernard & Co., of the American Dramatic Institute, 
486 Broadway, N. Y. 



I 






The Ptlblishers believing thai the want of a strictly correct 
edition of the Plays of Shdkspeare^ as they are acted at the present day^ 
which might serve the purpose of mentor and guide, has long been felt by 
tlie public f afid particularly by the members of the theatrical prof ession, 
have endeavored to supply the want, and present- this work as the first 
result of their efforts. It is 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

TO 

EDWIN FORREST, ESQ. 

05 an humble tribute to the genius of the greatest impersonator and ex- 
pounder living, of the works of the immortal bard, and a recognition of 
kindly assistance received from him. In making the corrections and 
interpolations (from the original text) his knowledge and research were 
invaluable ; and the unusual fa/dliiy afforded by his private library 
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perfect a work which they can present with confidence to the public. 

WM. A. MOORE & C. S. BERNARD. 

New York, 1860. 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



• ♦ • 



KING LEAR MR FORREST. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY MR. HARKIiSON. 

DUKE OF CORNWALL MR. MORRIS. 

DUKE OF ALBANY MR. HARKINS. 

DUKE OP GLOSTER MR. CANOLL. 

DUKE OF KENT MR. FISHER. 

EDGAR MR. CONWAY. 

EDMUND MR. DONALDSON. 

OSWALD MR. FENNO. 

CAPTAIN OF GUARD MR. COOKE. 

HERALD MR. TAYLOR. 

PHYSICIAN MR. MARTIN. 

OLD MAN MR. LEIGH. 

FIRST KNIGHT MR. GOULDSON. 

SECOND KNIGHT MR. BKCKS. 

THIRD KNIGHT MR. ELLIS. 

GONERIL M'ME PONISL 

I^^GAN MISS ATHExVIA. 

CORDELIA MRS. CONWAY 

ARONTHE MISS FISHER. 



43- 



KING LEAR 



• »• 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. — An Anti-chamber in King Lear's Palace. 

Enter Edmund, r.h. 

Edm. Thou, Nature, art my goddess ; to thy law 
My services are bound : why aoi I then 
Deprived of a son's right, because I came not 
In the dull road that custom has prescribed ? 
Why bastard ? Wherefore base ? when I can boast 
A mind as generous, and a shape as true 
As honest madam's issue ? Why are we 
Held base, who in the lusty stealth of Nature 
Take fiercer qualities than what compound 
The scanted births of the stale marriage-bed 
Well, then, legitimate Edgar, to thy right 
Of law I will oppose a bastard's cunning. 
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund 
As to the legitimate Edgar ; with success 
I've practis'd yet on both their easy natures. — 
Here comes the old man, chaf'd with the information 
Which last I forg'd against my brother Edgar ; 
A tale so plausible, so boldly utter'd, 
And heighten'd by such lucky accidents, 
That now the slightest circumstance confirms him. 
And base-born Edmund, spite of law, inherits. 

{Retires a little, r.h.) 

Enter Kent and Gloster, l.k. 

Glost, Nay, good my lord, your charity 
O'ershoots itself, to plead in his behalf ; 



4 KING LEAR. 

You are yourself a father, and may feel 
The sting of disobedience from a son 
First-born and best-beloved. — 0, villain Edgar ! 

Kent. Be not too rash ; all may be forgery, 
And time yet clear the duty of your son. 

Glost. Plead with the seas, and reason down the winds, 
Yet shalt thou ne^er convince me : I have seen 
His foul designs through all a father's fondness. 

Edm. It works as I could wish ; I'll shew myself. 

{Aside, Advances.) 

Glost, Ha, {Crosses to Edmund, r.h.) Edmund! wel- 
come, boy. — Kent ! see here 
Inverted nature, Gloster's shame and glory : 
This bye-born, the wild sally of my youth, 
Pursues me with all fihal offices ; 
Whilst Edgar, begged of heaven, and born in honor, 
Draws plagues upon my head, that urge me still 
To curse in age the pleasure of my youth. 
Nay, weep not, Edmund, for thy brother's crimes. 
gen'rous boy I thou shar'st but half his blood, 
Yet lov'st beyond the kindness of a brother ; 
But I'll reward thy virtue. Follow me. 
My lord, you wait the king, who comes resolv'd 
To quit the toils of empire, and divide 
His realms amongst his daughters. Heaven succeed it I 
But much I fear the change. 

Kent. I grieve to see him 
With such wild starts of passion hourly seiz'd. 
As render majesty beneath itself. 

Glost. Alas ! 'tis the infirmity of his age : 
Yet has his temper ever been unfixt, 
Chorric, and sudden. 

{Flourish of Trum^pets and Drums, k.h.) 
Hark, they approach. [Flourish. — Exeunt, r.h. 

Enter Cordelia, l.h. Edgar, following. 

Edg. Cordelia, royal fair, turn yet once more, 
And, ere successful Burgundy receive 
The treasure of thy beauties from the king, 
Ere happy Burgundy for ever fold thee. 
Cast back one pitying look on wretched Edgar. 



KING LEAR, 5 

Cord. Alas I what would the wretched Edgar with 
The more unfortunate Cordelia ? 
Who, in obedience to a father^s will, 
Plies from her Edgar's arms to Burgundy's. 

(^ Flourish sounds and continues until the Scene 
changes.) 

[Exeunt ; Cordelia^ r.h., and Edgar, l.h 

SCENE II. — A Room of State in the Palace. 

{Flourish of Drums and Trumpets, r.h.) 

King Lear upon his Thro7ie, Albany, Cornwall, Bur 
GUNDY, Kent, Gloster, Goneril, Began, Cordelia, 
Captain of the Guard, three Knights, tivo Pages, 
tioo Gentlemen with the Map, tivo Gentlemen with 
the Croivn, Physician, Herald^ Banners and Guards^ 
Lords, Ladies, <^'C,, Sfc.^ discovered, 

Lear, Attend, my lords of Albany and Cornwall, 
With princely Burgundy. 

Alb. We do, my liege. 

Lear, Give me the map. — ( The Gentlemen ivho hold the 
Map, L.H., advance a little, and unroll it.) — Know, 
lords, we have divided. 
In three our kingdom, having now resolv'd 
To disengage from our long toil of state, 
Conferring all upon your younger years. 
You, Burgundy, Cornwall, and Albany, 
Long in our court have made your amorous sojourn, 
And now are to be answered. — Tell me, my daughters, 
Which of you loves us most, that we may place 
Our largest bounty with the largest merit. 
Goneril, our eldest born, speak first. 

Gon. Sir, I do love you more than words can utter, 
Beyond what can be valued rich or rare ; 
Nor liberty, nor sight, health, fame, or beauty, 
Are half so dear ; my life for you were vile ; 
As much as child can love the best of fathers. 

Lear. Of all these bounds, e'en from this line to this, 
With shady forests, and wide skirted meads, 
We make thee lady ; to thine and Albany's issue 



6 KING LEAR, 

Be this perpetual. What says our secoud daughter, 
Regan, wife to Cornwall ? 

. Reg. My sister, sir, in part, exprest my love ; 
For such as her^s, is mine, though more extended ; 
Sense has no other joy that I can relish ; 
I have my all in my dear lieges love. 

Lear, Therefore, to thee and thine hereditary, 
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom. 

( Whilst Cordelia is speaking, Lear, assisted hy Kent^ 
L.H., and Gloster, r.h., descends from the throne 
and comes fonvard into the centre ; Kent goes be 
low Bur gundy J l h., and^ Gloster remains at Lear's 
R.H., a little behind him. 

Cord, Now comes my trial. — How am I distrest, 
That must with cold speech tempt the chol'ric king. 
Rather to leave me dowerless, than to condemn me 
To Burgundy^s embraces. {^Aside,) 

Lear. Speak now, our last, not least in our dear love, — 
So ends my task of state, — Cordelia, speak : 
What canst thou say to win a richer third, 
Than what thy sisters gained ? 

Cord, Now must my love, in words, fall short of their^s, 
As much as it exceeds in truth — {A'side.) — Nothing, my lord, 

Lear. Nothing? 

Cord, Nothing. 

Lear, Nothing can come of nothing ; speak again. 

Cord. Unhappy am I that I can^t dissemble : 
Sir, as I ought, I love your majesty, 
No more, nor less. 

Lear. Take heed, Cordelia ; 
Thy fortunes are at stake ; think better on't, 
And mend thy speech a little. 

Cord. my liege 1 
You gave me being, bred me, dearly loved me, 
And I return my duty as I ought. 
Obey you, love you, and most honor you. 
Why have my sisters husbands, if they love you all ? 
Haply when I shall wed, the lord, whose hand 
Shall take my plight, will carry half my love ; 
For I shall never marry like my sisters. 
To love my father all. 



KING LEAR. 7 

Lear, And goes thy heart with this ? 
'Tis said that 1 am chol'ric. Judge me, gods, 
Is there not cause ? Now, minion, I perceive 
The truth of what has been suggested to us. 
Thy fondness for the rebel son of Gloster. — 
And oh I take heed, rash girl, lest we comply , 

With thy fond wishes, which thou wilt too late 
Repent ; for know, our nature cannot brook 
A child so young, and so ungentle. 

Cord. So young, my lord, and true. 

Lear. Thy truth then be thy dower : 
For, by the sacred Sun, and solemn Night, 
I here disclaim all my paternal care. 
And from this minute hold thee as a stranger 
Both to my blood and f^ivor. 

Kent. This is freiizy. 
Consider, good my liege, — 

Lear, Peace, Kent 1 
Come not between a dragon and his rage. 
I lov^d her most, and in her tender trust 
Designed to have bestow'd mine age at ease. 
So be my grave my peace, as here J give 
My heart from her, and with it all my wealth I 

{Lear goes to Albany and Cornwall, and beckons the 
Gentlemen ivho hold the Crown r. h. They ad- 
vance a little toivards the King.) 
My lords of Cornwall and of Albany, 
I do jnvest you jointly with full right 
In this fair third, Cordelia^s forfeit dowV. 
Mark me, my lords, observe our last resolve ; 
Our self, attended by an hundred knights, 
Will make abode with you in monthly course ; 
The name alone of king remain with me, 
Yours be the execution and revenues. 
This is our final will ; and to confirm it, 
This coronet part between you 

Kent. [Kneels.) Royal Lear, 
Whom I have ever honored as my king, 
Lov^d as my father, as my master followed. 
And, as my patron, thought on in my prayVs, — 

Lear. Away ! the bow is bent, make from the shaft. 



8 KING LEAR. 

Kent {Rises.) No, let it fall, and drench within my 
heart : 
Be Kent unmannerly when Lear is mad ; 

Thy youngest, daughter 

Lear, On thy life no more. 
Kent, What wilt thou do, old man ? 
Lear Out of my sight. 
Kent, See better first. 
Lear, Now by the gods — 

Kent. Now, by the gods, rash king, thou swear'st in vain. 

{Lear, attemiMng to draiv his sivoi'd, is prevented 

by Albany^ who advances and lays -Jiis hand on 

the King's left arm, and by Gloster, who adva?ices 

and lays his hand on the King's right arm ) 

Lear Ha, traitor 1 

Kent. Do, kill thy physician Lear ; 
Strike thro' my throat ; yet with my latest breath 
I'll thunder in thine ear my just complaint. 
And tell thee to thy face that thou dost ill. 

Lear. Hear me, rash man ! on thine allegiance hear me 

{Lear sheathes his half- drawn sicord ; Alba,ny and 
Gloster retire to Vieir j^laces ) 
Since thou hast striven to make us break our vow, 
And prest between our sentence and our pow'r, 
Which nor our nature, nor our place can bear, 
We banish thee for ever from our sight 
And kingdom : If, when three days are expired, 
Thy hated trunk be found in our dominions, ^ 

That moment is thy death. — Away I 

{Lear turns from Kent; and beckoning Goner il, 
Regan, Albany and Cornwall to him, confers iviih 
them in the centre of the stage until Kent is gone.) 

Kent. Why, fare thee well, king : since thou art resolvVI, 
I take thee at thy word ; I will not stay 
To see thy fall. The gods protect thee, maid, 
That truly think'st, and hast most justly said. 
Thus to new climates my old truth I bear ; 
Friendship lives hence, and banishment is here. [Exit, l. h. 

Lear. Now, Burgundy, you see her price is falFn ; 
Yet, if the fondness of your passion still 



KING LEAR. 9 

Affect her as she stands, dow^'less, and lost 

In our esteem, she^s yours ; take her or leave her. 

Burg. Pardon me, royal Lear, I but demand 
The dow'r yourself proposed, and here I take 
Cordelia by the hand, duchess of Burgundy. 

Lear. Then leave her, sir ; for, by a father^s rage, 
I tell you all her wealth. 

{Cai'delia throws herself at Lear's feet.) 
Away I Away ! Away I {Flourish of Trumpets, ^c.) 

[Exeunt all but Cordelia^ l.h. 

Enter Edgar, r.h.u.e. 

Edg. Has heaven then weighed the merit of my love, 
Or is it the raving of a sickly thought ? 
Cou^d Burgundy forego so rich a prize. 
And leave her to despairing Edgar^s arms ? 

{Raises Cordelias 
Have I thy hand, Cordelia ? Do I clasp it ? 
The hand that was this minute to have join'd 
My hated rivaFs ? Do I kneel before thee, 
And offer at thy feet my panting heart ? 
Smile, Princess, and convince me ; for, as yet, 
I doubt, and dare not trust my dazzling joy. 

Card. Some comfort yet, that 'twas no vicious blot 
That has deprived me of a father's grace ; 
But merely want of that that makes me rich 
In wanting it ; a smooth professing tongue. 

sisters ! I am loth to call your fault 
As it deserves ; but use our father well, 
And wrong'd Cordelia never shall repine. 

Edg. heav'nly maid ! that art thyself thy dow'r, 
Richer in virtue than the stars in light. 
If Edgar's hmnble fortunes may be grac'd 
With thy acceptance, at thy feet he lays 'em. 
Ha ! my Cordelia, dost thou turn away ? 
What have I done t'offend thee ? 

Cord. Talk'd of love. 

Edg. Then I've offended oft ; Cordelia too 
Has oft permitted me so to offend. 

Cord, When, Edgar, I permitted your addresses, 

1 was the darling daughter of a King ! 



10 KING LEAR. 

Nor can I now forget my royal birth, 

And live dependent on my lover's fortune ; 

I cannot to so low a fate submit ; 

And therefore study to forget your passiou, 

And trouble me upon this theme no more. (Crosses ^o r h.) 

Edg. Thus majesty takes most state in distress. 
How are we tost on Fortune's fickle flood ! 
The wave that with surprising kindness brought 
The dear wreck to my arms, has snatch'd it back, 
And left me mourning on the barren shore. 

Cord. This baseness of the ignoble Burgundy 
Draws just suspicion on the race of men ; 
His love was interest, so may Edgar's be, 
And he but with more compliment dissemble ; 
If so, I shall oblige him by denying ; 
But, if his love be fix'd, such constant flame 
As warms my breast, if such I find his passion, 
My heart as grateful to his truth shall be, 
And cold Cordelia prove as kind as he. [Exit, r.h. 

Enter Edmund, hastihj, l.h. 

Edm, Brother, I've found you in a lucky minute ; 
Fly, and be safe : some villain has incens'd 
Our father against your life. 

Edg. Distrest Cordelia ! — but oh, more cruel ! 

Edm. Hear me, sir ; your life, your life's in danger. 
'Wake, 'wake, sir. 

Edg. Say you brother ? 

No tears, good Edmund ; if thou bring'st me tidings 
To strike me dead, for charity delay not ; 
That present will befit so kind a hand. 

Edm. Your danger, sir, comes on so fast, • 

That I want time t'inform you ; but retire, % 
Whilst I take care to turn the pressing stream. 
Gods ! for heaven's sake, sir, — 

Edg. Pardon me, Edmund ; 
But you talk'd of danger. 
And wish'd me to retire. — Must all our vows 
End thus ? — Friend, I obey you. — Cordelia ! [Exit, r.h. 

Edm. Ha ! ha ! Fond man ! Such credulous honesty 
Lessens the glory of my artifice ; 



KING LEAR. 11 

His nature is so far from doing wrongs, 

That lie suspects none : — ( Takes out a Letter.) — If this 

letter speed, 
And pass for Edgar^s, as himself would own 
The counterfeit, but for the foul contents, 

Then my designs are perfect. Here comes Gloster. 

{Attempts to hide the Letter.) 

E7iter Gloster, l h. 

Glost. Stay, Edmund, turn ; what paper were you reading ? 

Edm. A trifle, sir. 

Glost. What needed then that terrible dispatch of it into 
your pocket ? Come, produce it, sir. 

Edm. A letter from my brother, sir : I had 
Just broke the seal, but know not the contents : 

{Gives the Letter to Gloster.) 
Yet, fearing they might prove 1;o blame. 
Endeavored to conceal it from your sight. 

Glost. This is Edgar^s character. 

{Reads.) — This policy of father^ s is intoleraUe, that 
keeps our fortunes from us Hill age tvill not suffer us to en- 
joy them ; I am iveary of the tyra.nny. Come to me, that 
of this I may speak more. If our father luoidd sleep till I 
ivaked him, you should enjoy half his possessions, and live 
beMd of your brother. 
Sleep till I wak^d him, you should enjoy 

Half his possessions ! Edgar to write this 

^Gainst his indulgent father ! Death and hell ! 

( Crosses to ^.u. 
Fly, Edmund, seek him out ; wind me into him, (1) 
That I may bite the traitor's heart, and fold 
His bleeding entrails on my vengeful arm. 

Edm. Perhaps 'twas writ, my lord, to prove my virtue. 

Glost. Tnese late eclipses of the sun and moon 
Can bode no less ; love cools, and friendship fails ; 
In cities mutiny, in countries discord ; 
The bond of nature crack'd 'twixt son and father. — 
Find out the villain ; do it carefully, 
And it shall lose thee nothing, [Exit, r.h. 

Edm, So, now my project's firm, but, to make sure, 

(1) Do me this. 



12 KING LEAR. 

Vl\ throw in one proof more, and that a bold one ; 

I^ll place old Gloster where he shall o'er-hear us 

Confer of this design ; whilst, to his thinking, 

Deluded Edgar shall accuse himself. 

Be honesty my interest, and I can 

Be honest too ; and what saint so divine. 

That will successful villainy decline ? [Exit, r.h 

SCENE 111.— The Court before the Duke of 
Albany's Palace, 

Enter Kent, disguised, l.h. 

Kent. Now, banished Kent, if thou can'st pay thy duty, 
In this disguise, where thou dost stand condemned, 
Thy master Lear shall find thee full of labors. 

{Retires a little, r.h.) 

Enter King Lear, attended by his Physician and 
three Knights, l.h. 

Lear. In there, and tell our daughter we are here. 

\_Exit 1st Knight, r.:h. 
"Now, what art thou ? {Kent advances, r.h.) 

Kent. A man, sir. 

Lear. What dost thou profess, or would^st with us ? 

Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem, to serve 
him truly that puts me in trust, to love him that's honest, 
to converse with him that's wise and speaks little, to fight 
when I can't chose, and to eat no fish. 

Lear. I say, what art thou ? 

Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the 
king. 

Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject, as he % for a king, 
thou art poor enough. — Dost thou know me, fellow ? 

Kent. No, sir ; but you have that in your countenance, 
which I would fain call master. 

Lear. What's that ? 

Kent. Authority. 

Lear. What services can'st thou do ? 

Kent. I can keep honest counsel, mar a curious tale in 
the telling, deliver a plain message bluntly ; that which or- 



KING LEAR. 18 

dinary men are fit for, I am qualified in ; and the best of 
me, is diligence. 

Lear. How old art thou ? 

Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing ; 
nor so old, to dote on her for any thing ; I have years on 
my back forty-eight. 

Lear, Thy name ? 

Kent. Cains. '^ 

Lear. Follow me ; thou shalt serve me. 

{Ke?2t goes to r.h. of 2d Knight,) 

Enter Oswald, l.h., singing, and passing King Lear 

carelessly. 
Now, sir ? 

Osw. Sir ! — tol de rol, &c. [^Exit singing, r.h. 

Lear, What says the fellow ? call the clodpole back. 

[Exe2mt Kent and 2d Knight^ r.h. 

2d Knight. My lord, I know not ; but, methinks, your 
highness is entertained with slender ceremony. 

Lear, Say\st thou so ? 
Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception. 

Re-enter 1st Knight, r.h. 

Why came not that slave back when I calFd him ? 

\st Knight. My lord, he answered i^th' surliest manner, 
that he would not. {Goes to his former place.) 

Lear. I hope our daughter did not so instruct him. 
Oswald brought in ly Kent and 2d Knight, r.h. l5^ and 

2d Knight go behind^ l.h. — 'M Knight goes to his for- 
mer place. — Kent puts Oswald next the King, 
Now, who am I sir ? 

Osw My lady's father. 

Lear, Jtfy ladies' father ! My lord's knave. {Strikes him.) 

Osw. ril not be struck, my lord. 

Ke7it. Nor tript, neither, you vile civet-box. 

( Trips up his heels.) 

Lear. I thank thee, fellow : thou serv'st me. 

Kent, Come, sir, arise, away ; Til teach you difi'erences. 

[Exit Osivald, crying out^ r.h.u.e. 

{Kent pursues him with his staff till he is off the stage, 
then returns to the Knights, l.h.) 



14 KING LEAR. 

Gon. ( Within, r.h.) By day and night ! this is insuf- 
ferable ; I will not bear it. 

Enter Go^^eril, r h., attended by Page and two Ladies. 

Lear Now, daughter, why that frontlet on ? 
Speak, does that frown become our presence ? 

Go7i. Sir, this licentious insolence of your servants 
Is most unseemly : hourly they break out 
In quarrels, bred by their unbounded riots ; 
I had fair hope, by making this known to you, 
To have had a quick redress ; but find too late 
That you protect and countenance their outrage ; 
And therefore, sir, I take this freedom, which 
Necessity makes discreet. 

Lear. Are you our daughter ? 

Gon. Come, sir, let me entreat you to make use 
Of your discretion, and put off betimes 
This disposition that of late transforms you 
From what you rightly are. 

Lear, Does any here know me ? Why, this is not Lea. I 
Does Lear walk thus ? Speak thus I Where are his eyes ? 
Who is it that can tell me who I am ? 
Your name, fair gentlew^oman ? 

Gon. Come, sir, this admiration's much o'th' savour (1) 
Of other your new humors ; I beseech you 
To understand my purposes aright ; 
As you are old, you should be staid and wise : 
Here do you keep an hundred knights and 'squire^ 
Men so debauched and bdld, that this our palace 
Shews like a riotous inn, a tavern, brothel : 
Be then advised by her, that else will take 
That which she begs, to lessen your attendants ; 
Take half away, and see that the remainder ^ 
Be such as may befit your age, and know 
Themselves and you. 

Lear. Darkness and devils ! — 
Saddle my horses, call my train together. 
Degenerate viper ! — I'll not stay with thee ; 

I yet have left a daughter Serpent ! Monster I — ■■ 

Lessen my train, and call 'em riotous 1 

(1) Of tlie complexion 



KING LEAR. 15 

All men approved, of choice and rarest parts, 

That each particular of duty know. 

How small, Cordelia, was thy fault ? — Lear, 

Beat at this gate — {Strikes his head.) — that let thy folly m, 

And thy dear judgment out ! — Go, go, my people. 

Enter Albany, l.h. 

Ingrateful Duke ! — Prepare my horses. — Was this your 

will ? . 
Who stirs ! [_Exit K?iightj l.h. 

Alb. What, sir ? 

Lear. Death 1 fifty of my followers at a clap ? 

Alb. The matter, madam ? {To Goneril.) 

Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause, 
But give his dotage way. 

Lear. Blasts upon thee ! 
Til' untented woundings of a father's curse 
Pierce every sense about thee ! — Old fond eyes, 
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out. 
And cast ye, with the waters that ye lose. 
To temper clay. — No, Gorgon ; — thou shalt find 
That ill resume the shape, which thou dost think 
I have cast off for ever. 

Gon. Mark ye that ? 

Alb. Pm ignorant, 

Lear. It may be so, my lord, {Lear throws away his 
hat and staff as he falls on his knees.) , 
Hear, nature, hear ; 

Dear goddess, hear ! Suspend thy purpose, if 
Thou did'st intend to make this creature fruitful I 
Into her womb convey sterility I 
Dry up in her the organs of increase ; 
That from her derogate (1) body never spring 
A babe to honor her — If she must teem. 
Create her child of spleen ; that it may live, 
And be a thwart disnaturVl (2) torment to her I 
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ; 
With cadant tears fret channels in her cheeks : 

(1) Degraded ; blasted. 

(2) Wanting natural affection. 



16 KING LEAR.' 

Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits, (1) 

To langhter and contempt ; that she may feel, 

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is, 

To have a thankless child I {Rises ) Away, away ! 

(Kent and the Physicia^i raise the King and bear 

him away. The 1st Knight takes up his hat 

and staff.) 
lExeunt King Lear and his Attendants, l.h. — 

Albany , Goneril and their Attendants^ r.h. 

END OF ACT I. 



ACT II. 

SCENE I.— The Earl of Gloster's Castle. 

Enter Edmund, l.h. 

Edm. The duke comes here to night ; I'll take advantage 
Of this arrival to complete my project. — (Knocks, m.d.) 
Brother, a word ; come forth ; it's I, your friend ! 

Enter Edgar, m.d. (Comes forward^ r.h.) 

My father watches for you, fly this place ; 
Intelligence is giv'n where you are hid I 
Take the advantage of the night. — Bethink, 
Have you not spoke against the Duke of Cornwall. 
Something might shew you a favorer of 
Duke Albany's party ? 

Edg. Nothing ; why ask you ? 

Edm. Because he's coming here to night in haste. 
And Regan with him. 

Edg, Let him come on ; I'll stay and clear myself. 

Edm. Your innocence at leisure may be heard. 
But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf. 
And you may perish ere allow'd the hearing. (Gloster 

without, L.H.) This way, this way. 
I hear our father coming — Pardon me : — 

(1) Good offices. 



KING LEAR. 17 

In cunning I must draw my sword uj3on you : — 

Draw : seem to defend yourself ; {They draw and fight ^ 

now quit you well. 
Yield : come before my father ; help, ho, here I — 
Fly, brother ; — help, here, help 1 — Farewell, farewell. — 

{Exit Edgar, r.h. 
Some blood drawn on me wou^d beget opinion 
Of our more fierce encounter ; I have seen 
Drunkards do more than this in sport. 

( Stahs himself in tlie arm.) 

Enter Gloster and Servants, L.n., with torclies, 

Glost. Now, Edmund, whereas the traitor ? 

Ed?n Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, 
Mumbling of wicked charms. — ( Sheathes his sioord ) 

Glost. But where is he ? 

Edm, Look, sir, I bleed I 

( Wra^^s his arm tip in his liandkerchief.) 

Glost. Where is the villain, Edmund ? 

Edm. Sir, he is fled. When by no means he could — 

Glost. By no means, what ? 

Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship ; 
But that I told him the revenging Gods 
'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend ; 
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond 
The child was bound to the father ; — sir, in fine, 
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood 
To this unnatural purpose, in fell motion, 
With his prepared sword, he charges home 
My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm : 
But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, 
Bold in the quarrePs right, roused to the encounter, 
Or whether gasted (1) by the noise I made, 
Full suddenly he fled. 

Glost. Let him fly far, this kingdom shall not hide him. 
The noble duke my patron comes to night ; 
By his authority I will proclaim 
Rewards for him that brings him to the stake, 
And death for the concealer ; 

(1) Frighted. 



18 KING LEAR. 

Thea of my lands, loyal and natural boy, 

ril work the means to make thee capable. (1) [Exeunt, l.h. 



SCENE II.— The Gates of Gloster's Castle. 

Enter Kext, r.h., in disguise, and Oswald, l.h. 

« 

Osio, Good morrow, friend ; belong^st thou to this house ? 

Kent, Ask them will answer thee. 

Osw. Where may we set our horses ? 

Kent. I'th^mire. 

Osiu. I am in haste, pr^y thee, an' thou lov'st me, tell me. 

Kent, I love thee not* 

Osw. Why then, I care not for thee. 

Kent, An I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold, (2) I'd make 
thee care for me. 

Osw, What dost thou mean ? I know thee not. 

Kent, But, minion, I know thee. 

Osio, What dost thou know me for ? 

Kent. For a base, proud, beggarly, white-liver'd, glass- 
gazing, super-serviceable, finical rogue ; one that wou'd be 
a pimp in way of good service, and art nothing but a com- 
position of knave, beggar, coward, pander, 

Osio. What a monstrous fellow art thou, to rail at one 
that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee ? 

Ke.nt, Impudent slave ! not know me, who but two days 
since tript up thy heels before the king ? Draw, miscreant, 
or I'll make the moon shine through thee. 

[Draivs his sivord.) 

Osw. What means the fellow ? I tell thee, I have no- 
thing to do with thee. 

Kent. Draw, you rascal. I know your rogueship^s office : 
you come with letters against the king, taking my young 
lady Vanity's part against her royal father. Draw, rascal. 

Osw. Murder, murder, help. 

[JSxit^ Kent after him, r.h.s.e. 

(1) Capable of succeeding to my land, notwithstanding the legal 
bar to thy illegitimacy. 

(2) Lipsbury Pinfold may be a cant expression, importing the same 
as Lob's Pound. — A pinfold is a pound. 



KING LEAR. 19 

Flourish of Trumpets. Enter Duke of Cornwall, Regan, 
Captain of the Guards Attendants^ Gloster and 
Edmund, /ro7?e the Gates, lh. 

GlosL All welcome to your graces, you do me honor. 

Corn, Gloster, we have heard with sorrow that your life 
Has been attempted by your impious son. 
But Edmund here has paid you strictest duty, 

Glost. He did bewray (1) his practice, and received 
The hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. 

Corn. Is he pursued ? 

Glost. He is, my lord. 

Reg. Use our authority to apprehend 
The traitor, and do justice on his head. 
For you, Edmund, that have signalized 
Your virtue, you from henceforth shall be ours ; 
Natures of such firm trust we much shall need, 
A charming youth, and worth my farther thought ! {Aside ) 

Corn. Lay comfort, noble Gloster, to your breast, 
As we to ours. This night be spent in revels. 
We choose you, Gloster, for our host to night, . 

A troublesome expression of our love. 
On, to the sports before us 1 {JNoise loithin, r.h.) — Who 
are these ? 

Enter Oswald, pursued by Kent. Oswald crying out for 
help, runs across the stage to l.h. The CajiBain of 
Guard draivs his sivoi'd, lh., stops Kent r.h., and 
then retires a little to r.h. 

Glost. Now, what^s the matter ? 

Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives ; he dies that strikes. 
Whence, and what are ye ? 

Reg. The messengers from our sister, and the king. 

Corn. Your difference ? speak. 

Osw. Vm scarce in breath, my lord. 

Kent. No marvel, you have so bestir'd your valor. 
Nature disclaims the dastard ; a tailor made him. 

Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel ? 

Osw. Sir, this old rufi^n here, whose life I spared 
In pity to his beard, — 

(1) Betray. 



20 KING LEAR. 

Kent. Thou essence bottle I 
In pity to my beard I — Your leave, my lord, 
And I will tread the musk-cat into mortar. 

Corn, Know'st thou our presence ? 

Kent. Yes, sir, but anger has a privilege. 

Corn. Why art thou angry ? 

Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword. 
And have no courage ; office, and no honesty ; 
Xot frost and fire hold more antipathy 
Than I and such a knave. 

Glost. Why dost thou call him knave ? 

Kent. His countenance likes me not. (1) 

Corn. No more, perhaps, does mine, nor his, or hers. 

Kent. Plain dealing is my trade ; and, to be plain, sir, 
I have seen better faces in my time. 
Than stand on any shoulders now before me. 

Reg. This is some fellow, that having once been praised 
For bluntness, since affects a saucy rudeness : 
But I have known one of these surly knaves, 
That in his plainness harbor'd more design 
Than twenty cringing complimentiftg minions. 

Corn. What^s the offence you gave him ? 

Osiu. Never any, sir ; 
^t pleased the king, his master, lately 
To strike me on a slender misconstruction ; 
Whilst watching his advantage, this old lurcher 
Tript me behind, for which the king extolPd him ; 
And, flushed with the honor of this bold exploit, 
Drew on me here again. 

Corn. Bring forth the stocks ; (^ Two Guards exeunt at 
the gate.) we'll teach you. 

Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn ; 
Call not the stocks for me ; I serve the king. 
On whose employment I was sent to you : 
You'll shew too small respect, and too bold malice 
Against the person of my royal master. 
Stocking his messenger. 

(Re-enter two Guards^ they bring forth the stocks and 
seat, which they place- r.h. of the gates,) 

(1) Pleases me not. 



KING LEAR, 21 

Horn. Bring forth the stocks ; as I have life and honor, 
There shall he sit till noon. {Guards seize Kent.) 

Reg. Till noon, my lord I Till night, and all night too. 
Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, 
You would not use me so. 

Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will. 

( Captain signs the Guard, ivho lead Kent aivay^ and 
2Mt him in the stocks.) 
Glost. Let me beseech your graces to forbear him ; 
His fault is much, and the good king, his master. 
Will check him for't : but needs must take it ill 
To be thus slighted in his messenger. 

Reg. We'll answer that ; 
Our sister may receive it worse to have 
Her gentleman assaulted. To our business, lead. 

{Flourish. — -Rxeiint all hut Gloster and Oswald into 
the Castle.) 
Glost. I am sorry for thee, friend ; 'tis the duke's pleasure, 
Whose disposition will not be controled. 
But I'll intreat for thee. 

Kent. Pray do not, sir. 

I have watch'd and travel'd hard ; 
Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle : 
Farewell t'ye, sir. [Exit Gloster into the Castle, 

{Oswald remains on the stage to indulge a feiu 
vaporing antics ivith Kent, and tJien -folloiv^ Gloster 
into the Castle.) 



SCENE III.— il Forest. 

Enter Edgar, l.h., mufied up. 

Edg. I heard myself proclaim'd 
And, by the friendly hollow of a tree, 
Escap'd the hunt. No port is free, no place, 



22 KING LEAR. 

Where guards and most unusual yigilanee 

Do not attend to take me. How easy now 

'Twere to defeat the malice of my trial, 

And leave my griefs on my sword's reeking point ; 

But love detains me from death's peaceful cell, 

Still whispering me, Cordelia's in distress : 

Unkind as she is, I cannot see her wretched, 

But must be near to wait upon her fortune. 

Who knows but the blest minute yet may come, 

When Edgar may do service to Cordeha ? 

That charming hope still ties me to the oar 

Of painful life, and makes me too submit, 

To th' humblest shifts to keep that life a-foot. 

My face I w^ill besmear, and knit my locks ; 

The country gives me proof and precedent 

Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, 

Strike in their numb'd and mortify 'd bare arms 

Pins, iron spikes, thorns, sprigs of rosemary : 

And thus from sheep-cotes, villages and mills, 

Sometimes with pray'rs, sometimes with lunatic bans, (1) 

Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygood ! poor Tom 1 (2) 

That's something yet. Edgar I am no more. [Exit^ r.h. 

SCENE lY.— Before the Earl of Gloster's Castle. 

Kent, discovered, in the stocks — {Flourish of Drums and 

Trumpets, l.h.) 

Enter King Lear, his Knights and Physician, l.h. 

Lear. Tis strange, that they should so depart from home. 
And not send back our messenger. ♦ 

Ke7it. Hail, noble master ! 

Lear. How ! mak'st thou this shame thy pastime ? 
What's he that has so much mistook thy place, 
To set thee here ? 

Kent. It is both he and she, sir ; your son and daughter. 

Lear. Xo. 

(1) To ban, is to curse 

(2) We should read, Turlnpin. In the fourteenth century there 
wai> a new species of gipsies called Turlupins, 2^. fralerniiy of naked 
beggars, which ran up and down Europe. 



KING LEAR. 23 

Kent. Yes. 

Lear, No, I say. 

Kent, I say, yea. 
• Lear. They durst not do't ; 
They could not, would not do't. — 
Resolve me with all modest haste, which way 
Thou may^st deserve, or they impose this usage. 

Kent. My lord, when at their home 
I did commend your highness' letters to them 
Ere I was ris'n, arrived another post. 
Stewed in his haste, breathless and panting forth 
From Goneril, his mistress, salutations ; 
Whose message being delivered, they took horse, 
Commanding me to follow, and attend 
The leisure of their answer ; which I did : 
But meeting here that other messenger. 
Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine, 
Being the very fellow that of late 
Had shewn such rudeness to your highness, I, 
Having more man than wit about me, drew ; 
On which he raised the house with coward cries : — 
This was the trespass, which your son and daughter 
Thought worth the shame which you see it suffer here. 

Lear, Oh ! this spleen swells upwards to my heart, 
And heaves for passage ! — Down, thou climbing rage, 
Thy element's below. Where is this daughter ? 

Enter Gloster, from the Castle — he advances, l.h. 

Kent. Within, sir, at a masque. 

Lear. Now, Gloster ? — Ha ! ( Gloster whispers Lear.) 
Deny to speak with me ? Th'are sick, th'are weary, 
TheyVe travelled hard to-night ? — Mere fetches, sir : 
Bring me a better answer. 

Glost. My dear lord. 
You know the fiery quality of the duke 

Lear, Vengeance ! death 1 plague ! Confusion ! 
Fiery ?— What quality ?— Why, Gloster, Gloster, 
Fd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. 

Glost. I have informed them so. 

Lear. Informed them ? dost thou understand me, man ? 
I tell thee, Gloster, 



24 KING LEAR. 

Glost. Ay, my good lord. 

Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall ; the dear 
father 
Would with his daughter speak, commands her service. 
Are they inform'd of this ? My breath and blood I 

Fiery ? The fiery duke ?— Tell the hot duke, 

No, but not yet ; may be, he is not well ; 

lutirmity doth still neglect all office ; 

1 beg his pardon, and I^ll chide my rashness 

That took the indisposed and sickly fit 

For the sound man — But wherefore sits he there ? 

Death on my state ! This act convinces me 

{Pointi7ig to the stocks.) 
That this retiredness of the duke and her 
Is plain contempt. — Give me my servant forth. — 
Go, tell the duke and's wife I'd speak with 'em, 

Now, instantly. Bid 'em come forth and hear me ; 

Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum, 
'Till it cry, Sleep to death. 

Enter Cornwall, Regan, Page^ two Soldiers, Captain oj 
the Guard, and Guards, from the Castle, l.h. 

Oh I are you come ? 

Corn. Health to the king I 

Keg. I am glad to see your highness. 

Lear. Regan, I think you are : I know what cause 
I have to think so. Should'st thou not be glad, 
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, 
Sepulch'ring an adultress. — 

(^Cornwall signs to Captain of Guard, Captain to 
the tivo Guards — they set Kejit at liberty^ who goes 
to R.H. of Physician, behind the King.) 
Beloved Regan, thou wilt shake to hear 
What I shall utter ; — thou cou'd'st ne'er ha' thought it ; — 
Thy sister's naught : Regan I she hath tied 
Ingratitude like a keen vulture, here ; 
I scarce can speak to thee. / 

Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience ; I have hope 
That you know less to value her desert, 
Than she to slack her duty. 

Lear. Ha I How's that ? 



KING LBAK. 25 

Reg. I caiiuot think my sister in the least 
Would fail in her respects, but if, perchance, 
She has restrained the riots of your followers, 
'Tis on such grounds, and to such wholesome ends, 
A.S clear her from all blame. 

Lear. My curses on her 1 

Reg. sir I you're old. 
And shou'd content you to be ruPd and led 
By some discretion that discerns your state 
Better than you yourself ; therefore, good sir, 
Return to our sister, and say you have wronged her. 

Lear. Ha ! ask her forgiveness I 
Do you but mark how this becomes the house : (1) 

{Kneeling.) 
Dear dauQ-hter, I confess that I am old : 
Age is unnecessary ; (2) on my knees I beg, 
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. 

Reg. Good sir, no more of these unsightly passions 
Return back to our sister. 

Lear. Never, Regan ; ^ ^ Rises.) 

She hath abated me of half my train, 
Look'd black upon me, stabb'd me with her tongue : 
All the stor'd vengeances of heav'n fall 
On her ingrateful head ! Strike her young bones. 
Ye taking airs, with lameness ! — 

Reg. the blest gods 1 thus will you wish on me. 
When the rash mood 

Lear. Xo, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse ; 
Thy tender nature cannot give thee o'er 
To such impiety : thou better know'st . 

The ojffices of nature, bond of childhood. 
And dues of gratitude ; thou bear'st in mind 
The half o'th' kingdom, which our love conferred 
On thee and thine. 

Reg. Good sir, to th' pm'pose. 

Lear. Who put my man i'th' stocks ? 

( Trumpet sounds^ l.h.) 

Corn. What trumpet's that ? 

(\) The order of families, duties of relation. 
(2) Old age has few wants. 



26 KING LEAR. 

Reg. I know't, my sister's ; (1) this coufirms her letteis 
Enter Oswald, l.h. 

Sir, is your lady come ? 

Lear. More torture still ! 
Out, varlet, from my sight ! 

{Strikes Oswald^ who rims off crying ^ r.h.u.e ; 

Corn. What means your grace ? 

Lear. Who stocked my servant ? Regan, I have hope 
Thou did'st not know it. ( Trumpet sounds.) 

Enter Goneril, Page and two Ladies, l.h. 

Who comes here ? Oh, heav'ns ! 

If you do love old men ; if your sweet sway 

Allow obedience ; if yourselves are old, 

Make it your cause ; [To Goneril.) send down and take 

my part ! {Crosses to v.. yl.) 
Why, Gorgon, dost thou come to haunt me here ? 

{To Goneril) 
Art not ashamed to look upon this beard ? — {Regan takes 

Goneril by the hand.) 
Darkness upon my eyes, they play me false 1 — 
Regan I wilt thou take her by the hand ? 

Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir ? How have I offended ? 
All's not offence that indiscretion finds, (2) 
And dotage terms so. 

Lear. Hea?t, thou art too tough ! 

Reg. I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are so. 
If, till the expiration of your month, 
You will return, and sojourn with our sister, 
Dismissing half your train, come then to me : 
I'm now from home, and out of that provision 
That shall be needful for vour entertainment. 

Lear. Return with her, and fifty knights dismissed ? 
No, rather I'll abjure all roofs, and choose 
To be companion to the midnight wolf, 

(1) It seems from this passage, that the approach of great per- 
sonages was announced by some distinguishing note or tune appro- 
priately used by their own trumpeters. 

(2) Finds is here used in the same sense as when a jury is said to 
findB, bill. 



KING LEAR, 27 

My naked head expos'd to tli' merciless air, 
Than have my smallest wants supply^d by her. 

Go7i. At your choice, sir. 

Lear. Now, I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad ' 
1 will not trouble thee, my child ; farewell ; 
I^et shame come when it will, I do not call it ; 
I do not bid the thunder-bearer strike. 
Nor tell tales of thee to avenging heaven. 
Mend when thou canst : be better at thy leisure ; — 
I can be patient, I can stay with Regan, 
1, and my hundred knights. 

Reg. Your pardon, sir ; 
I looked not for you yet, nor am provided 
For your fit welcome. 

Lear. Is this well spoken now ? 

Reg. My sister treats you fair. What ! fifty followers ? 
Is it not well ? What should you need of more ? 

Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance 
From those whom she calls servants, or from mine ? 

Reg. Why not, my lord ? If then they chance to slack 
you. 
We could control them. — If you come to me. 
For now I see the danger, I entreat you 
To bring but five-and-twenty ; to no more 
Will I give place. 

Lear. I gave you all ! 

Keg. And in good time you gave it. 

Lear. Hold now, my temper, stand this bolt unmov'd, 
And I am thunder-proof. — (Lt begins to rain.\ 

Gon. Hear me, my lord. 
What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five. 
To follow in a house, where twice so many 
Have a command t'attend you ? 

Reg. What need one ? {Distant thunder, 

Lear. Heav'ns, drop your patience down I 
You see me here, ye gods ! a poor old man. 
As full of grief as age, wretched in both ! — 
If it be you that stir these daughters^ hearts 
Against their father, fool me not so much 
To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger I 
0, let not women's weapons, water drops. 



28 KING LEAR. 

Stain mj man's cheek I — Xo you unnatural hags, 

I will have such revenges on you both, 

That all the world shall* — I will do such things, — 

What they are, yet I know not ; but they shall be 

The terrors of the earth. — {Crosses to L.n.) — You think I'll 

wfeep ; 
No, I'll not weep : — 

I have full cause of weeping ; but this heart 
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, (1) 
Or ere I'll weep. — {Ram and thunder,) 

0, gods, I shall go mad ! 

[_Exeuntj King Lear^ Kent, and the Knights, l h — 
Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Gloster, Ostvald, Cap- 
tain of the Guard, and Attendants, into the Castle. 

END OF ACT II. 



ACT III. 

SCENE I.— ^ Desert Heath. 

{Lamps doion. — Rain, thunder, and lightning?) 

Enter Lear and Kent, l.h.s.e. 

Lear. Blow, wind, and crack your cheeks ! rage ! blow ! 
You cataracts, and hurricanoes, spout 
'Till you have drench'd our steeples ! 
You sulph'rous and thoaght-executing (2) fires, 
A'aunt couriers (3) to oak-cleaving thunder-bolts. 
Singe my white head ! And thou, all shaking thunder. 
Strike flat the thick rotundity o' the world ! 
Crack nature's m.oulds, all germens spill at once, (4) 
That make ingrateful man ! 

(1) Aflaiv, signifying a crack, or other similar imperfection. Our 
nthor, with his accustomed license, uses the word here for a }<maU 

broken particle. 

(2) Doing execution with rapidity equal to thought. 

(3) Avant couriers. Fr. This phrase is not unfamiliar to other 
writers of Shakspeare's time. It originally meant the foremost 
scouts of an army. 

(4) Crack nature's mould, and all the seeds of matter, that are 
hoarded within it. — To spill is to destroy. 



KING LEAR. 29 

Kent. Not all my best iiitreaties can persuade him 
Into some needful shelter, or to 'bide 
This poor slight covering on his aged head, 
Exposed to this wild war of earth and heaven, 

( Thunder, lightning, and rain.) 

Lea.o\ Rumble thy fill I fight whirlwind, rain, and fire ! 
iVot fire, wind, rain, or thunder, are my daughters ; 
I tax not you, ye elements, with unkindness ; 
[ never gave you kingdoms, called you children ; 
You owe me no obedience. — Then let fall 
Your horrible pleasure ! — Here I stand your slave, 
A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man. — 

[Rain, thunder, and lightning.) 
Yet I will call you servile ministers, 
That have with two pernicious daughters joined 
Your high engendered battle 'gainst a head 
So old and white as this. Oh ! oh ! 'tis foul ! (1) 

Kent. Hard by, sir, is a hovel, that will lend 
Some shelter from this tempest. 

Lear, I will forget my nature. What ! so kind a father !— i 
Ay, there's the point. {Rain, thunder ^ and lightning.) 

Kent. Consider, good my liege, things that love night, 
Love not such nights as this ; these v/rathful skies 
Gallow (2) the very wanderers of the dark. 
And make them keep their caves ; such drenching rain, 
Such sheets of fire, such claps of horrid thunder. 
Such groans of roaring winds, have ne'er been known. 

( Thunder very loud ) 

Lear. Let the great gods. 
That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, 
Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, 
That hast within thee undiscovered crimes ! — 
Hide, hide, thou murd'rer, hide thy bloody hand ! — 
Thou perjur'd villain, holy hypocrite, 
That drink'st the widow's tears, sidi now, and ask 
These dreadful summoners (3) grace ! — I am a man 
More sinn'd against, than sinning. ( Crosses to r.h.) 

(1) Shameful ; dishonorable. 

(2) Gallow, a west country word, signifies to scare or frighten. 
(8) Summoners are here the officers that summon offenders beforQ 

a proper tribunal. 



30 KING LEAR. 

Kent, Good sir, to tli' hovel. 

Lear. My wits- begin to turn. 
Come on, my boy ; How dost, my boy ? art cold ? 
I'm cold myself : shew me this straw, my fellow ; 
The art of our necessity is strange. 
And can make vile things precious — My poor knave, 
Cold as I am at heart, Tve one place there 
That^s sorry yet for thee. 

{Rain. — Thunder. — Lightning. — Exeunt^ r.h 
>• 

■ SCENE 11.— A Room in Gloster's Castle. 

Enter Edmund, r.h. 

Edm. The storm .is in our louder rev'lings drowned. 
Thus w^ou'd I reign, could I but mount a throne. 
The riots of these proud imperial sisters 
Already have imposed the galling yoke 
Of taxes, and hard impositions, on 
The drudging peasant's neck, who bellows out 
His loud complaints in vain. — Triumphant queens ! 
With what assurance do they tread the crowd 1 
Oh ! for a taste of such majestic beauty, • 
Which none but my hot veins are fit t'engage ; 
Nor are my wishes desperate ; for ev'n now. 
During the banquet,- 1 observed their glances 
Shot thick at me ; and, as they left Ihe room. 
Each cast by stealth, a kind inviting smile, 
The happy earnest — ha 1 

Enter two Pages, from different entrances, they deliver 
him each a letter, and exeunt^ r.h. and l.h. 

{Reads.) — Where merit is so transi^arent, vnt to behold 
it were^ blindness, and not to reward it, hi gratitude. 

GONERIL. 

Enough ! blind and ungrateful should I be. 
Not to obey the summons of this oracle* 
Now for the second letter. 

{Reads.) — If modesty be not your enemy, doubt not to 
find m,e your friend. Regan. 

Excellent Sibyl ! O my glowing blood I 



KING LEAR. 31 

I am already sick with expectation, 
And pant for the possession. — Here Gloster comes, 
_With business on his brow ; be hushed, my joys. 

Enter Gloster, l.h. 

Glost. 1 come to seeiv thee, Edmund, to impart a busi- 
ness of importance. I know thy loyal heart is touched to 
see the cruelty of these ungrateful daughters against our 
royal master. 

Edm. Most savage and unnatural. 

Glost, This change in the state sits uneasy. The com- 
mons repine aloud at their female tyrants ; already they cry 
out for the re-instalment of their good old king, whose in- 
juries, I fear, will inflame them into mutiny. 

Edm. 'Tis to be hopYl not feared. 

Glost. Thou hast it boy ; 'tis to be hop'd indeed. 
On me they cast their eyes, and hourly court me 
To lead them on ; and, whilst this head is mine, 
I'm theirs. A little covert craft, my boy, 
And then for open action ; 'twill be employment 
Worthy such honest daring souls as thine. 
Thou, Edmund, art my trusty emissary. 
Haste on the spur, at the first break of day, •- 

With these dispatches to the Duke of'Cambray. 

( Gives him letters ) 
You know what mortal feuds have always flam'd 
Between this Duke of CornwalPs family, and his ] 
Full twenty thousand hardy mountaineers 
Th' inveterate prince will send to our assistance. 
Dispatch ; commend us to his grace, and prosper. [Exit, l.h. 

Eclm. Yes, credulous old man, 
I will commend you to -his grace. 
His grace the Duke of Cornwall : — instantly, 
I'll diew him these contents in thy own character. 
And seal'd with thy own signet ; then forthwith 
The chol'ric duke gives sentence on thy life. 
And to my hand thy vast revenues fall. 
To ghit my pleasures that 'till now have starv'd (Retires.) 

Gloster rctu7'/7s, lh., folloived hy Cordelix and Aranthe, 
2 oorbj d/f\s,s('d. Edmund observing at a distance. 



32 KING LEAR. 

Cord. Turn, Gloster, turn ; by all the sacred powers 
I do conjure you, give my griefs a hearing : [Kneels.) 
You must, you shall, nay, I am sure you will ; 
For you were always stiPd the just and good. 

GLost. What would'st thou, princess ? Rise, and speak 
thy griefs. 

Cord. Nay, you shall promise to redress 'em too, 
Or here I kneel for ever. I entreat 
Thy succour for a father, and a king. 
An injured father, and an injur'd king. 



Glost, Consider princess, [Raises her.) 

For whom thou begg'st, 'tis for the king that wronged thee. 

Cord. name not that ; he did not, could not, wrong 
me. " 

Nay, muse not, Gloster ; for it is too likely 
The injur'd king ere this is past your aid. 
And gone distracted with his savage wrongs. 



Cord. Or, what if it be worse ? — Can there be worse ? 
Ah, 'tis too probable, this furious night 
Has pierc'd his tender body ; the bleak winds 
And cold rain chill'd, or lightning struck him dead 5 - 
If it be so, your promise is discharg'd, 
And I have only one poor boon to beg ; 
That you convey me to his breathless trunk, 
With my torn robes to wrap his hoary head, 
With my torn hair to bind his hands and feet, 
Then with a show'r of tears 
To wash his clay-smear'd cheeks, and die beside him. 

Glost. Oh fair Cordelia, thou hast piety 
Enough t^itone for both thy sisters' crimes ; 
I have already plotted to restore 
My injur'd master, and thy virtue tells me 
We shall succeed, and suddenly. [Exit, r.h. 

Cord. Dispatch, Aranthe ; 
For in this disguise, we'll instantly 
Go seek the king, and bring him some relief ( Crosses to l.h.) 

Ar. How madam ! are you ignorant 



KING LEAR. 83 

That your most impious sisters have decreed 
Immediate death for any that reheve him ? 

Cord. I cannot dread the furies in this cause. 

At. In such a night as this ! Consider, madam, 
For many miles about there^s scarce a bush 
To shelter in. 

Cord. Therefore no shelter for the king, 
And more our charity to find him out. 
What have not women dar'd for vicious love ? 
And we^ll be shining proofs that they can dare 
For piety as much. {Thunder.) 

Blow winds, and lightnings fall ; 
Bold in. my conscious innocence Fll fly, 
My royal father to relieve or die. 

[Exeunt, Cordelia and Arafithe, l.h. 

Edm. '^ In this disguise, we^ll instantly 

Go seek the king 1" Ha ! ha ! a lucky change : 

That virtue which I fear'd would be my hind^rance, 

Has prov'd the bawd to my design. 

Fll be disguised, too. 

Whilst they are poaching for me, I'll to the duke 

With these dispatches ; then to the field. 

Where, like the vigorous Jove, I will enjoy 

This Semele in a storm. 

[Exit, L.H 



SCENE III. — Another part of the Heath. — Rain,— 
Thunder. — Lightning. 

Enter King Lear and Kent, l.h. 

Kent. Flere is the place, my lord ; good, my lord, enter; 
The tyranny of this open night's too rough 
For nature to endure. {Storm increases.) 

Lear. Let me alone. 

Kent. Good, my lord, enter ? 

Lear, Wilt break my heart? 



34 KING LEAR. 

Kent. I^d rather break my own. 

Lea7\ Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm 
Invades us to the skin ; so 'tis to thee ; 
But where the greater malady is fixt, 
The lesser is scarce felt : (1) — The tempest in my mind 
Doth from my senses take all feeling else, 
Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude ! 
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand 

For lifting food to't ? But Pll punish home ! 

Is'o, I will weep no more. {Rain. — Thunder. — LigatniJig.) 
In such a night 

To shut me out I Pour on, I will endure 

In such a night as this ! Regan, Goneril ! 

Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all 

Oh, that way madness lies I let me shun that ; 

No more of that. {Crosses to rr.) 

I^^ent. See, my lord, here's the entrance. 

Lear. Well, I'll go in. 
And pass it all ; I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. {T7iU7ider.) 
Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, 
That 'bide the pelting of this pitiless storm. 
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides 
Sustain this shock ; your raggedness defend you 
From seasons such as these ? Oh, I have ta'en 
Too little care of this. Take physic, pomp ; 
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 
That thou may'st cast the superflux to them, 
And shew the heav'ns more just. 

Edg. {In the Hovel, r.h.u.e., throwing out strata.) Five 
fathom and a half— Poor Tom ! 

Kent. What art thou that dost grumble there i'th' straw ? 
Come forth. 

Enter Edgar, disguised, from the Hovel, r.h u e. 
Advances, r.h. 

Edg. Away i the foul fiend follows me — Through the 
sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind — Mum, go to thy bed 
and warm thee Ha ! what do I see ? 

(1) But where the greater Tnalady is fix' d. the lesser is scarce felt, that of 
two concomitant pains, the greater obscures or relieves the less, is 
an aphorism of Hippocrates. See Disquisitions, Metaphysical and 
Literary, by F. Sayers, M.D., 1793, p. 68. 



KING LEAR. 85 

By all my griefs, the poor old king bare-headed, 

iiud drenched in this foul storm I Professing Syrens, 

^Lre all your protestations come to this ? (Aside.) 

Lear. Tell me, fellow, didst thou give all to thy two 
daughters ? ( Crosses to Edgar.) 

Edg. Who gives any thing to poor Tom, whom the foul 
fiend has led through fire and through flame, (1) through 
bushes and bogs ; that has laid knives under his pillow, 
and halters in his pew ; that has made him proud of heart 
to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inch'd bridges, to 
course his own shadow for a traitor ? — Bless thy five wits ! (2) 
Tom^s a-cold. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, 
and taking ! (3) — Do poor Tom some charity, whom the 
foul fiend vexes. Sa, sa ; there I could have him now, and 
there, and there again. [Strikes with his Staff.) 

Lear. What, have his daughters brought him to this 
pass ? Could^st thou save nothing ? Didst thou give them 
all? 

Kent. He has no daughter, sir. 

Lear. Death ! traitor, nothing could have subdu'd nature 
To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters. 

Edg. Pillicock sat upon pillicock hill ; hallo, hallo, hallo. 

Lear. Is it the fashion that discarded fathers 
Should have such little mercy on their flesh ? 
Judicious punishment ! 'Twas this flesh begot 
Those pelican (4) daughters. 

Edg. Take heed of the foul fiend ; obey thy parents • 
keep thy word justly ; swear not ; commit not with man's 
sworn spouse ; set not thy sweet heart on proud array. 
( Wind and rain.) Tom's a-cold. 

Lear, What hast thou been ? 

Edg, A serving-man, proud of heart ; that curPd my 
hair ; used perfume and washes ; that serv'd the lust of my 
mistress' heart, and did the act of darkness with her ; 
swore as many oaths as I spoke words ; and broke them all 
in the sweet face of heaven : Let not the paint, nor the 

(1) Alluding to the ignis fatuus, supposed to be lights kindled by 
mischievous beings to lead travelers into destruction. 

(2) So the five senses were called by our old writers. 

(3) To take, is to blast, or to strike with malignant influence. 

(4) The young pelican is fabled to suck the motlier's blood. 



36 KING LEAR. 

patch, nor the rustling of silks, betray thy poor heart io 
woman ; keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of 
plackets, (1) thy pen from creditor's books, and defy the 
foul fieud. ( Wind.) Still through the hawthorn blows the 
cold wind. — Ha, no nonuy, dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa ; 
let him trot by. 

Lear. Death ! thou wert better in thy grave, than thus 
to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the 
sky. Yet consider him well, and man's no more than this ; 
thou art indebted to the worm for no silk, to the beast for 

no hide, to the cat for no perfume. Ha ! here's two of 

us are sophisticated : thou art the thing itself ; unaccom- 
modated man is no more than such a poor, bare, forked 
animal as thou art. 

Off, off, ye vain disguises, empty lendings, 
I'll be my original self ; quick, quick, uncase me. 

Ke?it. Defend his wits, good heaven ! 

Lear. One point I had forgot ; what is your name ? 

Edg, Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the wall- 
newt and the water-newt ; that in the fury of his heart, 
when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for salads, swallows 
the old rat and the ditch-dog ; that drinks the green mantle 
of the standing pool; that's whipt from tything to tything; (2) 
that has three suits to his ba<-k, six shirts to his body ; 
Horse to ride and weapon to wear ; 
But rats and mice, and such small deer, 
Have been Tom's food for seven long year. 
Beware my follower ; peace, Smolkin, ( 3) peace, thou foul fiend ! 

Lear. One word more, but be sure true counsel ; tell me, 
is a madman a gentleman, or a yeoman ? 

Ke?it. I fear'd 'twould come to this ; his wits are gone. 

(Aside.) 

Edg. Frateretto (4) calls me, and tells me, Xero (5) is 

(1) A jt>ZacA-e^ is a stomacher. 

(2) A tything is a division of a place, a district ; the same in the 
country as a ward in the city. 

(3) The names of the other pimie spirits cast out of Travford, 
were these: " Hilco, Smolkin, Hillioi," &c., Ilarsnet, p 49, Percy. 

(4) ''Frateretto, Fliberdigihet, Hoberdidaoce, Tocobatto, were four 
devils of the round or moirice. These four had forty assistants 
under them, as themselves do confess." llarsnet, p 49,' Percy. 

(5) Mr. Upton observes thsit Jl(2belais, B. 11, c. xxx. says that AVc 



KING LEAR. 37 

an angler in the lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, and be- 
ware tke foul fiend. 

Lear. Right, ha 1 ha ! — was it not pleasant to have a 
thousand with red-hot spits come hissing in upon them ? 

Edg. Mj tears begin to take his part so much, 
They mar my counterfeiting. {Aside.) 

Lear. The little dogs and all. Tray, Blanch, and Sweet- 
heart, see, they bark at me. 

Edg, Tom will throw his head at 'em : Vaunt, ye curs 1 
Be thy mouth or black, or white, (1) 
Tooth that poisons, if it bite : 
Mastiff, grey-hound, mongrel grim. 
Hound, or spaniel, brache, (2) or lym, (3) 
Bob-tail tike, (4) or trundle-tail : 
Tom will make 'em weep and wail ; 
For with throwing thus my head. 
Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. — See, see, 
see. {Throio'S Ids strata head dress at them.) 

Come, march to wakes, and fairs, and market towns. 

Poor Tom, thy horn is dry. {Crosses to l h.) 

Lear. You, sir, I entertain you for one of my hundred ; 
only I do not like the fashion of your garments ; you'll say 
they're Persian ; but no matter, let 'em be changed. 

Edg. This is the foul fiend Fhbbertigibbet ; he begins at 
curfew, and walks till the first cock ; (5) he gives the web 
and the pin ; knits the elflock ; squints the eye, and makes 
the hair-lip ; mildews the white wiieat, and hurts the poor 
creatures of the earth. 

Saint Withold footed thrice the wold ; 
He met the night-mare and her nine fold, 

was a fiddler in hell, and Trajan an angler. Nero is introduced in 
the present play above eight hundred years before he was born. 

(1) To have the roof of the mouth black is in some dogs a proof that 
their breed is genuine. 

(2) Brache, properly speaking is the female of the Roche, but is 
generally applied to bitches of every description. Vide. — New Way 
to Fay Old Debts, A. 1, S. 1. 

(3) A lym, or lyme, was a blood-hound. 

(4) A Tijk, is a Runic word for a little, or wortliless dog. 

(5) It is an old tradition that spirits were relieved from the con 
finement in which they were held during the day ; at the time of 
curfew, that is, at the close of day, and were permitted to wander 
at large till the first cock crowing. 



38 KING LEAR. 

Twas there be did appoint her ; 
He bid her ahght, and her troth phght, 
1 And, aroint (1) the witch, aroint her. 

Enter Gloster, and two Servants, ivith Torches, l.h. 

Glost. What, hast your grace no better company ? 

Edg. The prince of darkness is a gentleman ; Modo he 
is call'd, and Mahu. (2) 

Glost. Go ( To Lear.) with me, sir ; hard by I have a 
tenant. My duty cannot suffer me to obey in all your 
daughters^ hard commands ; though their injunctions be to 
bar my doors, and let this tyrannous night take hold upon 
you, yet I have ventured to come seek you out, and bring 
you where both fire and food are ready. 

Kent. Good, my lord, take this offer. 

Lear. First, let me talk with this philosopher. 

{Lear and Edgar sit on the ground.) 
Say, Stagyrite, (3) what is the cause of thunder ? 

Glost. Beseech you, sir, go with me. 

Lear. V\\ talk a word with this same learned Theban. 
What is your study ? 

Edg . How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin. 

Lear, Let me ask you a word in private 

{Whispers Edgar.) 

Kent. His wits are quite unsettled ; good sir, let^s force 
him hence. ( To Gloster.) 

Glost. Can'st blame him ? His daughters seek his death. 

( To Kent) 
This bedlam but disturbs him the more ; fellow, be gone. 

{Edgar rises.) 

Edg. Child (4) Rowland to the dark tower came, 
His word was still fie, foh, and fum, {Crosses to R h. 
I smell the blood of a British man. — 0, torture 1 {Aside.) 

[Exit^ R.H.u.E., into the hovel, 

(1) Aroint, or avoid, begone. 

(2) 3Iaho was the chief devil that had possession of Sarah Williams ; 
but another of the possessed, named Richard Mainy, was molested 
by a still more considerable fiend, called Modu. HaraneVs Dedaration. 

(3) Aristotle so called from Siagira, a town in Macedonia, where 
he was born. 

(4) The word child is often applied to kniglits. * 



KING LEAR. 39 

Glost. Now, I pr^ythee, friend, let's take him in our 
arms ; 
There's a htter ready ; lay him in't, 
And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet 
Both welcome and protection. 
Good sir, along with us. 

Lear. You say right ; let 'em anatomize Regan, see 
what breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in nature 
for these hard hearts ? 

Kent. I beseech your grace, — ( They raise him.) 

Lear. Hist ! — make no noise, make no noise ; — draw 
the curtains ; closer, closer ; so, so, so, — we'll go to supper 
i'the morning, — so, so, so. 
{King Lear falls asleep, ai^dis carried offhy Gloster and 

Kent^ R.H. Thunder and lightning.) 

When Lear is carried off Edgar enters, and speaks this 
speech from the original text. 

When w^e our betters see bearing our woes, 

We scarcely think our miseries our foes ; 

Who alone suffers, suffers most i'the mind. 

Leaving free things and happy shows behind. 

But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip, 

When grief hath mates and bearing fellowship 

How light and portable my pain seems now, 

When that which makes me bend, makes the king bow. 

He childed as I fathered ; Torn away ! 

Mark the high noises, and thyself bewray. 

When false opinion, w^hose wrong thoughts defile thee. 

In thy just proof repeats and reconciles thee. 

What will hap more to-night ? safe 'scape the king. 

Lurk ! lurk ! \_Exit r.h.u.e. 

SCENE lY.—An Apartment iji the Earl of Gloster s. 

Enter Cornwall, Goneril, EnaruND, Page, and Two 
LadieSj r.h. 

Corn. I will have ray revenge, ere I depart this house. 

{To Edmund ) This letter proves your father traitor to us. 

{Crosses to c. Gives letter to Goneril.) 



40 KIXG LEAR. . 

JEclm, How malicious i^ my ibrtuae, that I must repent 
the being just. 

Would to heaven this treachery were not, or I not the dis- 
coverer 1 
Corn. Good sister, post speedily to my lord, your husband 

Show him this letter. 

Advise the duke to a most speedy preparation. 

We are bound to the like ! 

Edmund, keep you our sister company. 

The revenges we are bound to take upon your 

Traitorous father, are not fit for your beholding. 

Enter Captain of the Guard. 

Now ! whereas the king ? 

Capt, My Lord of Gloster hath conveyed him 
Hence. Some five or six and thirty of his 
Knights, hot questrists after him, met him 
At gate ; — who with some other of the lords 
Dependants, are gone towards Dover, 
Where they boast to have well armed friends. 

Corn. {To Page.) Get horses for your mistress. 

\_Page exits, l.h. 

Gon. Farewell dear lord and brother. 

[Exit Go?teril and Ladies. Edmund is following 

Corn. Edmund, farewell ! \_Exit Edmund^ l.h 

Go seek the traitor Gloster ! Pinion the 
Villain ! Bring him straight before us. 

\_Exit Captaiiij l.h 
Though well we may not pass upon his life 
Without the form of justice ; yet our power 
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men 
May blame, but shall not dare control I [Exit, r.h 

END OF act III 



KING LEAR. 4:1 

ACT IV. 

SCENE I. — Apartment in Albamjs Castle, 

Enter Albany, k.h., Captain of the Guard, l.h. 

Alb, Now, sir ! what means this haste ? What news ? 

Capt. Oh, my good lord ! the Duke of Cornwall's dead. 
Slain by a servant ; as with cruel hand 
He did destroy the sight of aged Gloster. 

Alb. What say you ? 

Ca2')t. A servant that he bred, thrilPd with 
Kemorse, opposed against the act, bending 
His sword to his great master, who thereat 
Enraged, flew on him ; and amongst 
Them fell'd him dead ! — but not without 
That harmful stroke which since hath pluck'd him after 1 

Alb. This shows you are above, ye justices ! 
That these our nether crimes so speedily can 
'Yenge. Alas ! poor Gloster ! Where was his son 
When they did take his eyes ? Knew he the wickedness ? 

Capt. Ay, my good lord ! 'twas he informed 
Against him, and quit the house on purpose that 
Their punishment might have freer course. Of this 
The poor old man is now assured ! 

Alb, Gloster, I live but to avenge thy wrongs ! 
Come hither, friend ; tell me what more thou knowest. 

Exit, L.n 

- SCENE II, — The open country. 

Enter Edgar, in disguise, r.h. 

Edg. The lowest and most abject thing of fortune 
Stands still in hope, and is secure from fear. 
The lamentable change is from the best. 
The worst returns to better. — Who comes here ? 

[Retires half iv ay up the Stage.) 
My father poorly led ! deprived of sight ! 
The precious stones torn from their bleeding rings 1 
World ! world ! world ! 

But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, 
Life would not yield to age. 



42 KING LEAR. 

Enter Glostek, led by an Old Man, l.h. 

Old 3L Oh, my good lord, I have been your tenant, 
And your father^s tenant, these fourscore years. 

Glos. Away, get thee away ; good friend, begone 
Thy comforts can do me no good at all ; 
Thee they may hurt. 

Old M. You cannot see your way. 

Glos. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes, 
I stumbled when I saw. — Oh, dear son Edgar I 
The food of thy abused father^s wrath, 
Might I but Kve to see thee in my touch, 
I'd say I had eyes again. 

Edg. {Aside.) Alas ! he's sensible that I was wronged, 
And, should I own myself, his tender heart 
Would break betwixt the extremes of grief and joy. 

Old M. How now ? who's there ? 

Edg. {Advances r.e. of Glos.) A charity for poor Tom. 
Play fair, and defy the foul fiend. 
{Aside.) Oh, gods ! and must I still pursue this trade, 
Trifling beneath such loads of misery ? 

Old M. (r.c.) 'Tis poor mad Tom. 

Glos. (r.c.) In the late storm I such a fellow saw, 
Which made me think a man a worm. 
Where is the lunatic ? 

Old M. Here, my lord. 

Glos. Get thee now away; if, for my sake, 
Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or two 
r th' way to Dover, do 't for ancient love, 
And bring some covering for this naked wretch. 
Whom ril intreat to.- lead me. 

Old M. Alack, my lord, he's mad. 

Glos. ^Tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the 
blind. 
Do as I bid thee. 

Old M. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, 
Come on't what wilh [Ezit^ l.e. 

Glos. Sirrah ! naked fellow ! 

Edg. (r.h.) Poor Tom's a-cold. — {Aside.)I cannot fool it 
longer. 
And yet I must. — Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed; 
Believ't, poor Tom e'en weeps his blind to see 'em. 



KING LEAR. 43 

Glos. Know^st thou the way to Dover ? 

JEdg. Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. 
Poor Torn has been scared out of his good wits. 
Bless every true man's son from the foul fiend ! 

Glos. Here, take this purse; that I am wretched 
Makes thee the happier. Heav'n deal so still ! 
Thus let the griping usurer's hoard be scattered, 
So distribution shall undo excess, 
And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover ? 

£dg. Ay, master. 

Glos. There is a cliff, whose high and bending head 
Looks dreadfully down upon the roaring deep; 
Bring me but to the very brink of it. 
And I'll repair the poverty thou bear'st 
With something rich about me. — From that place 
I shall no leading need. 

JSclg. Give me thjr arm; poor Tom shall guide thee. 

[Exit R.H 

SCENE 111,— Albany's Palace, 

Enter Goneril, with a letter, and Oswald, l.h. 

Go7i, (l.c.) It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being 
out. 
To let him live; where he arrives he moves 
All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone, 
In pity to his misery, to dispatch him. 

Osw. (l.h.) No, madam; he's returned on speedy summons 
Back to your sister. 

Gon. Ah I I like not that 1 
Such speed must have the wings of love. Where's Al- 
bany ? 

Osw. Madam, within; but never man so changed: 
I told him of the uproar of the peasants — 
He smiled at it; when I informed him 
Of Gloster's treason — 

Gon. Trouble him no further; 
It is his coward spirit. Back to our sister; 
Hasten her musters on, and let her know 
I have given the distaff into my husband's hands; 
That done, with special care deliver these dispatches, 
In private, to young Gloster. 



44 KING LEAR. 

Enter Captain of the Guard, r.h. 

Ca2') (r.h.) Oh, madam, most unseasonable news 1 
The Dake of Cornwall's dead of his late wound, 
Whose loss your sister has in part supplied. 
Making brave Edmund general of her forces. 

Gon. {Aside.) One way, I like this well; 
But, being a widow, and my Gloster with her, 
T may blast the promised harvest of our love. 
A word more, sir: {To Oswald,) add speed to your jour- 
ney; 
And if you chance to meet with that blind traitor, 
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. 

[Exeunt, Goneril and Captain, r.h., Oswald, l.h. 

SCENE lY.— Another Part of the Country, 
Enter Gloster, and Edgar as a Peasant, l.h.u.e. 

Glos, When shall we come to tli' top of that same 
hill ? 

Edg, We climb it now, mark, how we labor. 

Glos. Methinks the ground is even. 

Edg, Horribly steep. Hark, do you hear the sea ? 

Glos. No, truly. 

Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect, 
By your eyes' anguish. 

Glos. So it may be, indeed. 
Methinks thy voice is altered, and thou speak'st 
In better phrase and matter than thou didst. 

Edg. You are much deceived; in nothing am I altered 
But my garments. 

Glos. Methinks, you're better spoken. 

Edg. Come on, sk; {Crosses to r.h.) here's the place. 
How fearful 
And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low ! 
The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air 
Shew scarce so big as beetles; halfway down 
Hangs one that gathers samphire — dreadful trade I 
The fishermen that walk upon the beach, 
Appear like mice; and yon tall anch'ring bark 
Seems lessened to her cock ; her cock, a buoy 
Almost too small for sight; the murm'ring surge 



KING LEAR. 45 

Cannot be heard so high. I^ll look no more, 
Lest my brahi turn, and the disorder make me 
Tumble down headlong. 

Gtos. Set me where you stand. 

Edg. {Puts him across to r.h.) You are now within a 
foot of th' extreme verge : 
For all beneath the moon I would not now 
Leap forward. 

Glos. (r.h.) Let go my hand. 
Here is another purse, in it a jewel 
Well worth a poor man's taking. Get thee farther, 
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. 

Edg. Fare you well, sir. [Retires a little^ r.h.) That 
I do trifle thus 
With his despair, is with design to cure it. [Aside.) 

Glos. [Kneels.) Thus, mighty gods, this world I do re- 
nounce, 
And in your sight shake my afflictions off ; < 

If I could bear them longer, and not fall 
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, 
My snuff and feebler part of nature should 
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, oh, bless him I 
Now, fellow, fare thee well. 

[Prepares to fall, when Edgar advances and 
catches hhn) 

Edg. Hold ! — who comes here ? 

Enter King Lear, ivith a Coronet of Flowers on his head 
and Strata in his hand, l.h.u.e. 

Lear. No, no; they cannot touch me for coining; 
I am the king himself. 

Edg. Oh, piercing sight ! 

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your 
press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow- 
keeper; — draw me a clothier's yard. A mouse, a mouse ! 
Peace, hoa ! There's my gauntlet ; I'll prove it on a 
giant. Bring up the brown bills ; well flown, barb ; V th' 
white ; i' th' white ; — Hewgh I give the word. 

Edg. Sweet Marjoram. 

Lear. Pass. [Edgar crosses^ l.h.) 

Glos. I know that voice. 



46 KING LEAR. 

Lear. Ha ! Goneril ! With a white beard ? They flat- 
tered me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs on my 
chin, before the black ones were there, (r.h.) To say ay 
and no to everything that I said. Ay, and no, too, was no 
good divinity. When the rain came once to wet me, and 
the winds to make me chatter, — when the thunder w^ould 
not peace at my bidding, there I found ^em, there I smelt 
them out. Go to, they are not men of their words ; they 
told me I was everything; 'tis a lie ; 
I am not ague-proof, (l.h.) 

Glos. That voice I well remember: is't not the king? 

hear. Ay, every inch a king ! When I do stare, 
See hov\^ the subject quakes ! 
I pardon that man\s life. What was the cause ? 

Adultery ? 
Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery ? No ! 
The wren goes to't, and the small, gilded fly 
Engenders in my sight, (r.h.) Let copulation thrive ; 
For Gloster's bastard son was kinder to his father 
Than were my daughters, got P th' lawful bed. 
To't, luxury, pell mell; for I lack soldiers — 
There^s money for thee. 

Glos. (r.h.c.) Let me kiss that hand. 

Lear. Let me wipe it first ; it smells of mortality. 

Glos. Speak, sir : do you know me ? 

Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Nay, do 
thy w^orst, blind Cupid, Til not love — Read me this chal- 
lenge ; mark but the penning of it. 

Glos. Were all the letters suns, I could not see. 

Lear. Read, read, read. 

Glos. What I with this case of eyes ? 

Lear. Oh, ho ! are you there with me ? No eyes in 
your head, nor no money in your purse ? Yet you see 
how this world goes. 

Glos. I see it feelingly. 

Lear. What, art mad ? A man may see how this world 
goes, with no eyes. Look with thy ears ; see how yon 
justice rails on yon simple thief. Hark in thine ear : 
shake 'em together, and the first that drops, be it thief or 
justice, is a villain. — Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark 
at a beggar ? 



KING hhAU. 47 

Glos, Ay, sir. 

Lear, (c.) And the man rim from the cur ; there thou 
niight^st behold the great image of authority : a dog^s 
obeyed in office. Tliou rascle beadle, hold thy bloody 
hand ! Why dost thou lash that strumpet ? Thou hotly 
lust'st to enjoy her in that kind for which thou whip'st 
her ; do, do ! the judge that sentenced her has been be- 
forehand with thee. 

Glos. How stiff is my vile sense that yields not yet I 

Lear. I tell thee, the usurer hangs the cozener. 
Through tattered clothes small vices do appear ; 
Robes and fur gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, 
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks : 
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. — 
Why, there 'tis for thee, friend — make much of it ; 
It has the power to seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass 
eyes, and, like a scurvy poKtician, seem to see the things 
thou dost not. Pull, pull — off my boots ; hard, harder; so, 
so. 

Glos. Oh, matter and impertinency mixed I 
Reason in madness ! 

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. 
I know thee well enough — thy name is Gloster. 
Thou must be patient ; we came crying hither ; 
Thou know'st, the first time that we taste the air. 
We wail and cry. I'll preach to thee : mark me. 

L^dg, Break, lab'ring heart 1 

Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come 
To this great stage of fools. 

Eater Physician and two Knights ^ r.h.u.-e. 

Phys. (r.h.) Oh ! here he is ! lay hand upon him — sir. 
Your dearest daughter sends — 

Lear. No rescue ? What, a prisoner ? I am even th( 
natural fool of fortune. Use me well, you shall have ran 
som. — Let me haye surgeons. Oh ! I am cut to the brains. 

Phys. You shall have anything. 

Lear. No seconds ? All myself ? 
I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What ! 
I will be jovial ; come, come ; I am a king, 
My masters, know you that ? '{Crosses, r.h.) 



4S KING LEAR. 

Fhys. You are a royai one, and we obey you. 

Lear, It were an excellent stratagem to shoe a troop of 
horse with felt ; 1^11 put it in proof. — No noise, no noise. 
Now will we steal upon these sons-in-law, and then — Kill, 
kill, kill, kill I [^Exemit King Lear and Physician, r.h. 

Edg, A sight most moving in the meanest wretch, 
Past speaking in a king. 

Glos. (r.h.) Now, good sir, what are you ? 

Edg. (c.) A most poor man, made tame to fortune's 
strokes, 
And prone to pity by experienced sorrows. 
Give me your hand. 

Glos, You gentle gods, take my breath from me, 
And let not my ill-genius tempt me more 
To die before you please. 

Enter Oswald, l.h. 

Osw. (l.h.) A proclaimed prize ! Oh, most happily met I 
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh 
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, 
The sword is out that must destroy thee. {Draios Ids sword.) 

Glos. Now let thy friendly hand put strength enough 
to't. {Edgar raises his staff.) 

Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant, 
Barest thou support a published traitor ? Hence, 
Lest I destroy thee, too ; let go his arm. 

Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without further 'casion. 

Osw. (l.h.c.) Let go, slave ; or thou diest. 

Edg. (l.h.c ) Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor 
volk pass ; and chu'd ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 
it would not have been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. — 
Nay, an' thou com'st near th' old man, I'st try whether 
your costard or my ballow be th' harder. 

Osw. Out, dunghill ! 

Edg. Chill pick your teeth, sir ; come, no matter for 
your foines. {Knocks him doiun.) 

Osw, Slave, thou hast slain me ! oh, untimely death ! 

{Dies) 

Edg. I know thee well, a serviceable villain : 
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress 
As lust could wish. 



KING LEAK. 49 

Glos. (c.) What ? Is he dead ? 

Edg. This is a letter-eaprier, and may have 
Some papers of intelh'gence, that may stand 
Our party in good stead to know. — What^s here ? 

( Takes a letter out of his 'pocket and reads it.) 
'' To Edmund, Earl of Gloster. 

(Reads,) '* Let our mutual loves be remembered : you 
have many opportunities to cut Albany off. If he return 
the conquerer, then I am still a prisoner, and his bed my 
jail ; from the loathed warmth of which deliver me, and 
supply the place for your labor. '^ GoNEmL." 

(Aside.) A plot upon the duke, her husband^s life, 
And the exchange my brother ! — 
In time and place convenient 1^11 produce 
This letter to the sight of th^ injured duke, 
As best shall serve our purpose. (Music, l.h.) 

Come, your hand ; 

Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum ; 
Come, sir, I will bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt, l.h. 

END OF ACT IV. 



ACT V 



SCENE I. — A Chamber. — King Lear asleejj on 
a couch, R.H. 

Cordelia, r.h., seated. Physician, and two Knights stand- 
ing by him. 

Cor. All blessed secrets ; 
All you unpublished virtues of the earth. 
Spring with my tears — be aidant and remediate, 
In the good man^s distress — 
Oh, you kind heavens. 

Cure this great breach in his abused nature ; 
Th' untuned and jarring senses, oh, wind up, 
Of this child changed father. 

Fhys. (l.h.) We have employed the utmost pow'r of art, 
And this deep rest will perfect our design. 



60 KING LEAK. 

Cor. Oh, Regan ! Goneril I Inhuman sisters 1 
Had he not been your father, these white hairs 
Had challenged, sure, some pity I Was this a face 
To be exposed against the warring winds ? 
My enemy's dog, though he had bit me, should 
Have stood that night against my fire. 

Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him ; 
I doubt not of his temperance. 
, Cor^ Is he arrayed ? 

Fh/ijs. Ay, madam, in the heaviness of his sleep 
We put fresh garments on him. 

Cor, Oh, my dear father ! Restoration, hang 
Thy medicine on my lips ; and let this kiss 
Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters 
Have in thy reverence made. He wakes. 

( When Lear is seated) 
Speak to him. 

Fhys. Madam, do you ; 'tis fittest. 

Cor. How does my royal lord ? How fares your ma^ 
jesty ? 

Lear, You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave. 
{Lear rises, and Cordelia supports Jiim down to 
the front of the Stage.) 

Cor. (r.h.) Speak .to me, sir; who am I ? 

Lear, (c.) You are a soul in bUss; but I am bound 
Upon a wheel of fire, which my own tears 
Do scald like molten lead. 

Cor, Sir, do you know me ? 

Lear, You are a spirit, I know; when did you die ? 

Cor, Still, still far wide. 

Fhys. Madam, he's scarce awake ; he'll soon grow more 
composed. 

Lear. Where have I been ? Where am I ? Fair dayhght? 
I am mightily abused : I should even die with pity 
To see another thus. I will not swear 
These are my hands. 

Cor, Oh, look upon me, sir, 
And hold your hand in blessing o'er me. {Lear attern.2^ts 

to kneel,) — Nay, 
You must not kneel. 

Lear. Pray, do not mock me ; 



KING LEAR. 51 

I am a very foolish, fond old man, 
Fom^score and upward; and, to deal plainly, 
I fear I am not in my perfect mind. 

Cor. Nay, then, farewell to patience ! Witness for me 
Ye mighty pow'rs, I ne'er complained till now I 

Lear. Methinks, I should know you, and know this 
man ; 
Yet I am doubtful; for I'm mainly ignorant 
What place this is; and all the skill I have 
Remembers not these garments ; nor do I know 
Where I did sleep last night. — Pray, do not mock me ; 
For, as I am a man, I think that lady 
To be my child Cordelia. 

Cor. Oh, my dear, dear father I 

Lear. Be yom^ tears wet ? Yes, faith ; pray, do not 
weep. 
I know I have given thee cause, and am so humbled 
With crosses since, that I could ask 
Forgiveness of thee, were it possible 
That thou couldst grant it ; 
If thou hast poison for me, I will drink it, 
Bless thee, and die. 

Cor. (c.) Oh, pity, sir, a bleeding heart, and cease 
This killing language. 

Lear, (l.h.) Tell me, friends, where am I ? 

Phys. (r.h.) In your own kingdom, sir. 

Lear. Do not abuse me. 

Phys. Be comforted, good madam, for the violence 
Of his distemper's past; we'll lead him in, 
Nor trouble him, till he's better settled. 
Will it please you, sir, walk into freer air ? 

Lear. You must bear with me, I am old and foolish ; 
Forget and forgive. 

( The Physician leads off King Lear, followed by 
tivo Knights J l.h.) 

Cor. The gods restore you. {A distant March.) 

Hark, I hear afar 

The beaten drum. Old Kent's a man of 's word. 
Oh 1 for an arm 

Like the fierce thunderer's, when the earth-born sons 
Stormed heaven, to fight this injured father's battle 1 



52 KING LEAR. 

That I could shift my sex, and dye me deep 

In his opposer^s blood ! But, as I may, 

^Vith women^s weapons, piety and prayers, 

1^11 aid his cause. — You never-erring gods, 

Fight on his side, and thunder on his foes 

Such tempests, as his poor aged head sustained I 

Your image suffers when a monarch bleeds ; 

'Tis your own cause ; for that your succours bring ; 

Revenge yourselves, and right an injured king. [Exit, l.h. 

SCENE II. — TJie Camp of the British Forces, near 
Dover. — FlourisJi.^ 

Enter Albany, l.h., Officers, Soldiers, Guards, Edgar, 
R.H., meeting him. 

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, 
Hear me one word. 

Alb. ni overtake you. 

[Exeunt all but Albany and Edgar, l.h. 

Alb. (c.) Speak 

Edg. (r.h.) Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound 
For him that brought it : wretched though I seem, 
I can produce a champion that will prove 
What is avouched there. If you miscarry, 
Your business of the world hath so an end. 
And machination ceases. Fortune love you 1 

Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. 

Edg. I w^as forbid it. 
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, 
And I'll appear again. [Exit, r.h. 

Alb. Why, fare the well ; I will overlook thy paper. 

[Exit, L.E. 

SCENE III.— ^ Valley near the Field of Battle, 
Enter Edgar and Gloster, r.e.u.e. 

Edg, Here, father, take the shadow of this tree 
For your good host ; pray that the right may thrive : 
If ever I return to you again, 
I'll bring you comfort. [Exit, l.h. 

^" This Scene is usually omitted in the Representation. 



KING LEAK. 53 

Glos. Grace go witli yoii, sir. {An alanim loitlwut, l.ii.) 
The light grows hot ; the whole war's now at work, 
And the gored battle bleeds in every vein. 
Whilst drmns and trumpets drown loud slaughter's roar. 
Where's Gloster now, that used to head the onset, 
And scour the ranks where deadliest danger lay ? ^ 

Here, like a shepherd, in a lonely shade. 
Idle, unarmed, and listening to the fight. 
No more of shelter, thou blind worm, but forth 
To th' open field ; the war may come this way. 
And crush thee into rest. {Advances a little.) 

Oh, dark despair ! When, Edgar, wilt thou come 
To pardon, and dismiss me to the grave ? 

{A retreat is sounded^ l.h.) 
Hark I a retreat I The king, I fear, has lost. 

Re-enter Edgar, l.h. 

Edg, Away, old man ; give me your hand ; away ! 

{Crosses J r.h.) 
King Lear has lost ; he and his daughter ta'en : 
Give me thy hand. Come on I 

Glos. No farther, sir ; a man may rot even here. 

Edg. What 1 in ill thoughts again ! Men must endure 
Their going hence, ev'n as their coming hither. 
Ripeness is all. — Come on I 

Glos. And that's true, too. [Exeunt ^ r.h 

SCENE lY.— The British CamiJ near Dover. 
Duke of Albany's Tent. 

Flourish, l.h. Enter Duke of Albany, Edmund, Herald, 
Attendants, Soldiers, Sfc., l.h. 

Alb. (c.) Sir, you have shown to-day yourvahant strain, 
And fortune led you well : you have the captives 
Who were the opposites of this day's strife : 
We do require them of you ; so to use them, 
As we shall find their merits and our safety 
May equally determine. 

Edm. (r.h.) Sir, I thought it fit 
To send the old and miserable king 



54 KING LEAR. 

To some retention, and appointed guard ; 

Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, 

To pluck the common bosom on his side, 

And turn our impressed lancers in our eyes, 

Which do command them. With him I sent the queen ; 

My reason all the same ; and they are ready 

To-morrow, or at further space, to appear 

Where you shall hold your session. 

Alb. Sir, by your patience, 
I hold you but a subject of this war, 
Not as a brother. 
And here do nov/ arrest thee 
On capital treason. — Let the trumpet sound. 
Tf none appear to prove upon thy person, 
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, 
There is my pledge : ( Throwing doivn a Gauntlet.) V\\ 

prove it on thy heart. 
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less 
Than I have here proclaimed thee . 

Edm. There^s my exchange. ( Throwing down Gaunt- 
let.) What in the v>^orld he is 
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. 
Call by thy trumpet : he that dares approach. 
On him, on you, (who not ?) I will maintain 
My truth and honor firmly. 

Alb. A herald, ho ! 
Trust to thy single virtue ; for thy soldiers, 
All levied in my name, have in my name 
Took their discharge. 

Come hither. Herald. — Let the trumpet sound. 
And read out this. {Gives paper.) Sound, trumpet. 

( Trumpet sounds, r.h.) 

Her. (r.h.) [Reads.] " // an?/ man of quality, or de- 
gree, within the lists of the army, ivill maintain vpon 
Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold 
traitor, let him appear at the third sound of the trumpet. 
He is bold in his defence^ 

Alb. Sound ! (l5^ Trumpet.) 

Her. Again? (2<'Z Trumpet^ Again! (3^ Trumpet^ 
{A Trumpet ansivers 07i l.h. three times.) 



KING LEAR. 65 

Enter Edgar, l.h., at the end of the second sound. 

Alb. (c.) Ask him his purposes, why he appears 
"Upon this call o' the trumpet. 

Her. What are you ? 
Your name, your quality ? and why you answer 
This present summons ? 

Edg. (l.h.) Know, my name is lost : 
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit ; 
Yet am I noble as the adversary 
I came to cope withal. {Herald retires up.) 

Alb. {A little up Stage, in c.) Which is that adversary ? 

Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund, Earl of 
Gloster ? 

Edm. Himself ! what say'st thou to him ? 

Edg. Draw thy sword ; 
That, if my speech offend a noble heart, 
Thy arm may do thee justice : — here is mine. 
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honors, 
My oath, and my profession. I protest — 
Maugre thy strength, youth, place and eminence, 
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune, 
Thy valor and thy heart — thou art a traitor I 
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father : 
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince ; 
And from the extremest upward of the head, 
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet, 
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou no, 
This sword, this arm, and and my best spirits, are bent 
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, 
Thou liest. 

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name ; 
But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike. 
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes 
What safe and nicely I might well delay 
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn : 
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head ; 
With the hell-hated lie overwhelm thy heart ; 
Which (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,) 
This sword of mine shall give them instant way. 
Where they shall rest forever. Trumpets, speak ! 

{Alarums. — They fight. — Edmund falls,) 



56 KING LEAR. 

What you have cliarged me with, that have I done ; 
And more, much more ; the time will bring it out ; 
^Tis past, and so am I. — But what art thou. 
That hast this fortune on me ? If thou art noble 
I do forgive thee. 

Edg. Let's exchange charity. 
I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund : 
If more, the more thou hast wronged me. 
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. 
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 
Make instruments to scourge us : 
The dark and vicious place where thee he got, 
Cost him his eyes. 

Alb. Where have you hid yourself ? 
How have you known the miseries of your father ? 

Edg. By nursing them, my lord. 
The bloody proclamation to escape, 
That followed me so near, taught me to shift 
Into a madman's rags ; became his guide. 
Led him, begged for him, saved him from despair ; 
Never (oh, fault !) revealed myself unto him. 
Until some half hour past, when I was armed. 
Kot sure, though hoping of this good success, 
I asked his blessing, and from first to last 
Told him my pilgrimage : but his flawed heart, 
(Alack, too weak the conflict to support !) 
'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, 
Burst smilingly. 

Edm. {Raised by Officers.) I pant for life : some good 
I mean to do. 
Despite of my own nature. Quickly send — 
Be brief in it — to the castle ; for my writ 
Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia. 

Edg. Who has the office ? Send thy token of reprieve. 

Edm. Take my sword — give it the captain. 

Alb. Ilaste thee, for thy life ! \^Exit Edgar ^ r.h. 

The gods defend her ! — Bear him hence awhile. 

[^Flourish. — Edmund is led off^ l.h. — Alba7iy and 
others exeunt, r.h. 



Kll^a LEAK. 57 

SCENE Y.—A Prison. 

Enter Lear, through opening in r.h. with Cordelia, dead, 
in his arw5.-0FFicER enters, l.h.u.e., as on guard^he 
remains at back, l.h. 

Lear. {Advancing, c.) Howl, howl, howl, howl ! Ob, 
ye are men of stones ! 
Plad I your tongues and eyes, Td use them so 
That heaven's vault should crack.-Oh, she is gone forever I 
(Lear kneels on right hiee, a?zd places Corde/^'i 
across his left, her feet toivards j^.n.) 
1 know when one is dead, and when one lives ; 
She's dead as earth :— Lend me a looking-glass ; 
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, 
AVhy, then she lives. 

Enter Edgar, Albany, Kent, Officer, a;2cZ Soldiers, :r.u.^ 
Officer marches the Soldiers up r.h., and back 

Kent, Is this the promised end ? z 7 • 7 r ^ \ 

Edg. Or image of that horror ? {Crosses behind Lear.) 

Alb. Fall, and cease 1 , -r.. .. i 

Lear. This feather stirs ; she lives !— If it be so, 
It is a chance that does redeem all sorrows 
That ever I have felt. 

Kent, (r.h.c. Kneeling) Oh, my good master I 

Lear, Pr'ythee, away ! _ 

Edg. (l.h.c.) 'Tis noble Kent, your triend. 

Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors, ail I 
I might have saved her ; now she's gone forever I 
Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little !— Ha 1 
What is't thou say'st ? Her voice was ever sott, 
Gentle, and low ; but I did kill the slave 
Chat was a-hanging thee ! i -, i v 1 

Offi. (L.H., Advayieing a little) 'Tis true, my lords, he did. 

Lear. Did I not, fehow ? . i 1 • 

[ have seen the day, with my good bitmg faulchion, 
I would have made them skip : I am old now. 
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you ? 
My eves are none o' the best :— I'll tell you straight. 
Kent, (r.h.c.) If fortune brag of two she loved and hated. 

One of them we behold. 



58 KING LEAR. 

Lear, This is a dull sight. — Are you not Kent ? 

KpMt, The same ; 
Your servant Kent. — Where is your servant Gains ? 

Leo.r, He's a good fellow; I can tell you that ; 
He'll strike, and quickly, too : — He's dead and rotoen. 

Kent, No, my good lord ; I am the very man. 

Lear, I'll see that straight, 

Kent. That, from your first of deference and decay, 
Have followed your sad steps. 

Lear, You are welcome hither. 

Kent, Kor no man else ; all's cheerless, dark and deadlj* 
Your eldest daughters have foredoomed themselves, 
And desperately are dead. 

Lear, Ay, so I think. 

Kent. He knows not what he says ; and vain it is 
That we present us to him. Oh, see 1 see I 

Lear, And my poor fool is hanged I No, no, no life : 
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life. 
And thou no breath at all ? {Laying Cordelia on tha 
ground, and kneeling on both knees.) Oh, thou 
wilt come no more I 
Never, never, never, never I 
Pray you, undo this button. {Placing his hand on his 

throaty as if choking.) Thank you, sir, 
Do you see this ? Look on her — look — her lips — 

{Kisses her.) 
Look there — look there I 

Edg. Break heart, I pr'ythee break ! 

( Lear gives a convulsive gasp, and falls hack. He is sup- 
ported on the R.H. by Kent, and on the l.h. by Ed- 
gar, — Curtain falls to slow music.) 



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Heavy Lady or Gentleman 5.00 

Leader of Orchestra 5.0O 

Seeond Lo^v Comedian or Chambermaid 4.00 

Second Old Lady or Gentleman 4.00 

Second Heavy Lady oi' Gentleman , 4.00 

Second ^Vulking Lady or Gentleman 4.00 

Utility 3.00 

Ballet ii.OO 

All communications sent to this office, if not replied to by return 
mail, may be considered in the negative, as our correspondence is 
strictly of a business nature. All orders, unless otherwise arranged, 
must be accompanied by a remittance ; and communications must 
contain a postage stamp, and be addressed to 

CHARLES S. BERNARD & CO. 



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^ ^ * '^^^W^^ ^ A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION *■ ^ 

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